Apparatus for assembling strands



April 1935- 1 B. K. FORD ETAL 1,997,211

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING STRANDS Original Filed May 15, 1932 5 sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS 8 K. FORD L. L. WEAVER A TTORNEY 1551 B, 1935. 5K. FORD E1 AL 1,997,211

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING STRANDS Original Filed May 13, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 RMWQ.

ATTORNEY P 935. B. K. FORD ET AL 1,997,211

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING STRANDS Original Filed May 13, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 3.

[74 By K. FORD L. L. WEAVER 3 IN VENTORS By -RfYbw w ATTDRNEY Api'il 9, 1935. r I B. K.-FORD HAL I APPARATUS FOR A SSEMBLING S'fRANDS Original Filed May 15, 1932 s e 4 a. K. EORD 1.. L. WEAKER ATTORNEY INVENTORS April 1935- B. K. FORD ET A1. 1 1,997,211

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING STRANDS Original Filed May 13, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 B. K. FOR

L. L. WEAVER INVENTORS A r Tom/5 Patented Apr. 9, 1935 1,997,211

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING ,STRANDS Ben K. Ford, Westfield, and Leo L. Weaver, Cranford, N. J assignors to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Original application May 13, .1932, Serial No.

611,014. Divided and this application September 8, 1933, Serial No. 688,606

14 Claims. (Cl. 96-3) This invention relates to apparatus for assem- The frame 10 supports a braiding head 18 of any bling strands, and more particularly to apparatus well known type consisting of the usual rotatable for the continuous braiding of textile coverings for carriers for carryingthe irmer and outer sets of conductor cords. bobbins or cops 19 and 20, respectively, of any This application is a division of our copendin suitable braiding material, preferably in the form 5 application, Serial No. 611,014, filed May 13, 1932. of strands, such, for example, as thread or twine,

An object of the invention is to provide an imthe carriers being rotated by the motor 22, which proved apparatus for producinga strand asis supported by the frame I, through the motor sembly. shaft 23, gears 24 and 25, shaft 28, bevel gear 23,

In the preferred embodiment of the invention and toothed ring 30 (showninFig. 8) The braidm apparatus for moving a strand at different speeds ing head 18 is mounted in the stationary housing and in forward and reverse directions through a 32 supp d y brackets 33 o e a e 0 braiding machine is provided in order that a As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a cylindrical tube braided covering may be applied to the strand 34 having asupporting flange 35 is vertically supwhich is of different texture or mesh, and which ported in the frame 10 in coaxial relation to the 15 is oppositely directed at' different portions of the rotatable bobbin carriers. The tube 34 has slidacovering. The reversal of the direction of move bly mounted therein a cylindrical tube 36 which ment of the strand permits the braiding of a secextends a v the p f he ube 34. The tube 0nd layer of covering over the first, and the 35 is prov With a plurality of holes 3 a restoration of forward movement permits the an ed n ve cal a i nt a d adapt d t e- 20 braiding of a third layer of covering whereby a oeive a removable P 39 a i y the tube 34 reinforcement comprising a plurality .of layers of sel ctiv ly posit oning and securing the tube coveringmay be produced on portions of the 3 with respect tothe tube 34. v strand. The braiding material connecting one Mounted at thetop'of the tube 35 is a collar 45 of the layersto another may be severed to permit which is internally grooved to receive a plurality 25 the outer covering to taper uniformly over the of cutter members 46 havin l q u n end of a reinforcing portion. edges at opposite ends thereof. The cutter mem- These and other objects and advantages of the e s may be Sec ed if! the col a 45 i any Su tinvention will become apparent from the followable manner, and'are provided with two cutting ing detailed description of one embodiment thereedges in order that they may be turned end for 30 of, reference being had to the accompanying end when the upper end becomes dull. Ahollow drawings wherein mandrel tube 41 extends through the collar 45 Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a braiding ax y t ereo a d the and el 41 is prov ed machine; v with longitudinal grooves 48 over a considerable.

5 Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the side of the portion of its lengthto receive the inner edges same machine on which the timing mechanism of the cutter members 46. The cutter members is carried; thus center the mandrel in the collar 45','the Figs. 3 and 4, when placed side by side with Fig. grooves of the mandrel cooperate with those of 3 at the left of Fig. 4, show schematically in perthe collar to retain the cutters, and by reason of spective the driving and controlling mechanism of the fact thatgrooves' of the mandrel are longer 40 the braiding machine; than the cutters, relative axial movement be- .Figs. 5 and 6 show in elevation an electrical cord tweenthe mandrel and the collar is permitted. in partial stages of completion; I The mandrel tube is provided at its upper end Fig. 7 shows in elevation a completed cord in with a conical tip 49 having a shoulder 44 where 45 accordance with the invention, and it joins the main body of the mandrel, the tip 4,5

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the driving and 49 being slotted to correspond to the grooves of controlling mechanism of the braiding machine. the mandrel. In the normal or lowered position Referring to the drawings, in which like referof the mandrel, the cutting edges of the cutter ence numerals designate corresponding parts members are disposed within the slots in the tip 50 throughout the several views, and particularly to 49 at a point slightly above the shoulder 44. 50 Figs. 1 and, 2, the strand assembling machine The mandrel 4'! fits into and is supported 'at which embodies the invention has a frame In its lower end by a block 50 which'has oppositely mounted on legs ll. Secured to diagonally opextending pins 5| passing through elongated posite comers of the frame III are upright posts slots 52 in the lower portion of the tube 35 and I 2 and I 3 which support a cross member 14. engaging the endless chains 53 by means of 55 which the block 50 is supported. The chains 53 are supported by and operated upon the upper and lower sprockets 55 and 56 respectively, the sprockets 55 being supported on the shaft 51 to drive the chains, the sprockets 56 being supported on the shaft 58 which is journalled in the members 59 supported by the legs II. The shaft 58 has journalled thereon intermediate the sprockets 56 a sheave 62 for guiding a strand. The chains 53 support a shaft 63 which has journalled' thereon a sheave 64 also for guiding a strand.

At the base of the machine, brackets 61 are provided for supporting a supply reel 68 containing a continuous supply of strand 69 which is to receive a braided covering. At the top of the machine, on the member I4, is mounted a bracket 10 which supports a freely rotatable multi-grooved sheave II. The upright post I3 supports a bracket I2 in which isvjournalled a shaft I3 which has its axis substantially parallel to the axis of the sheave II. A multi-grooved capstan I5 is keyed to the shaft 13 in alignment with the sheave II. The capstan I5 is employed to advance a strand through the machine, and it is driven by the shaft 13 in a manner which will presently be described. At the base of the machine, brackets I8 are provided for supporting a take-up spool I9 which is mounted on a shaft and is driven in a manner to be described later.

The path of a strand or group of strands that is to receive a braided covering is upward from the supply spool 68, over sheave 64, downward and under the sheave 62, up through the interior of the hollow'rnandrel 41, and out at the top of the braiding head. The material from the bobbins I9 and 20 is applied to the strand to form the braided covering just above the braiding head, as indicated at 84, which is the braiding point. A guard bracket 'having an aperture through which the braided cord may pass is mounted on the member I4 and has the guard portion 86 to prevent the braiding point from exceeding the desired distance above the braiding head. A vertically bored member 88 is secured to the member I4, and from the braiding point the braided cord passes through the guard portion 86 of the member 85 and through the member 88 to the first groove of the sheave II and then to the the first groove of the capstan I5. The sheave and the capstan are preferably each provided with four grooves, so that the cord may advance four times to the capstan and return three times to the sheave. .From the last groove of the capstan the cord goes to the takeup spool, and is reeled thereon.

The drive for the capstan 15, the take-up spool 19, the chains 53 and for timing mechanism which will presently be described is obtained from the shaft 28 which drives the rotatable bobbin carrlers, and which 'is driven. by the motor 22. The shaft 28 has keyed thereto a bevel gear 90 that meshes with a bevel gear 9| carried by a shaft 92, which extends into a gear box 93. The gear box contains change speed and reverse gearing shown in Fig. 4.

Referring to Fig. 4, the shaft 92, which isjournalled in the gear box 93, has freely rotatable thereon the gears I00, HM, and I02, each of which has secured thereto anotched or toothed hub or collar, represented by the reference numerals I04, I05, and I06 respectively. The gears I00, IN, and I02 differ from each other'in size and num-- ber of teeth, in the preferred arrangement, the

gear I00 being the largest, the gear |0I spacedly adjacent thereto being the smallest, and the gear I02 being of a size intermediate those of the other two. The shaft 92 has mounted thereon intermediate the gears I00 and IOI, a collar I08 which has teeth at its opposite ends corresponding to the teeth of the hub members I04 and I05. The collar I08 is loosely splined or keyed to the shaft 92 so as to be rotatable therewith and slidable thereon, and it has an annular groove I09 in the periphery thereof in which is disposed a yoke portion IIO of a lever III which is pivotally mounted at II2. By rocking the lever III, the collar I08 may be moved into engagement with either of the hub members I04 and I05 to establishdriving connection between the shaft 92 and either of the gears I00 and IOI.

The shaft 92 also carries adjacent to the hub member I06 of the gear I02 a collar II5 having teeth at one end thereof for engagement with the toothed hub member I06. The collar II5 is loosely splined or keyed on the shaft 92 to rotate therewith and slide thereon, and is provided with an annular groove H6 in which is disposed a yoke II! of a lever II8 that is pivoted at II9. Thus the collar may be moved into engagement with the hub member I06 to establish driving connection between the shaft 92 and the gear I02.

The gear box 93 has journalled therein a shaft I25 which has its axis substantially parallel with the axis of the shaft 92. The shaft I 25 has keyed thereto vthree gears I26, I21 and I28, meshing respectively with the gears I00 and IN, and with the idler I29 which meshes with the gear I 02. It follows from the previously stated relationships between the sizes-of the gears I00, IOI and I02, that of the gears on the shaft I25, the gear I21 will be largest and have the greatest number of teeth, the gear I26 will be smallest andhave the smallest number of teeth. The gear I28, in the preferred embodiment of the invention. is of a size intermediate the gears I26 and I21. The shaft I25 has secured thereto, a gear I30 from which the drive for all operating parts of the machine except the bobbin carriers is obtained. When the collar I08 is in engagement with the hub member I04, the shaft I25 is driven at its maximum velocity. When the collar is in engagement with the hub member I05, the shaft I25 is driven in the same direction, and at its minimum velocity. When the collar I08 is 'in its central position, and the collar II5 is in engagement with the hub member I06, the shaft I25 isdriven at an intermediate velocity, and by reason of the idler gear I29, in a reverse direction.

The gear I30 has meshing therewith a gear I3I carried by a shaft I32, which also carries a sprocket I34. The sprocket I34 engages an endless chain I33 which operates upon the sprockets I34 and I35, and the idler sprockets I36. The sprocket I35 is carried by a shaft I38 which also carries the sprockets I39 and I40, and the gear I4I, allof which are keyed to the shaft I36. The sprocket I35 is the driving connection between the chain I33 and the'shaft I38, so that the shaft I38'is driven from the shaft I32, and in the same direction as the latter shaft.

The sprocket I39 which is secured to the shaft I38 engages and drives an endless chain I45 which also engages and drives a sprocket I46 secured to a shaft I41 from which the take-up reel I9 is driven. The shaft I41 carries a pulley I48 which is preferably loosely mounted thereon and rotatably connected thereto through a clutch mechanism of any suitable construction, and preferably operable to drive only in one direction. In the drawings, the clutch mechanism comprises a toothed member I50 secured to the pulley I48 and a cooperating toothed member I5I slidably keyed to the shaft 141 and urged into engagement with the member I50 by a spring I52. The teeth of the members comprise cooperating shoulders and inclined surfaces, where by the. pulley is positively driven when the shaft I41 is rotated in one direction, and is disengaged when the shaft is rotated in the opposite direc tion. The pulley I48 is connected by a belt I54 to a pulley I55 secured. to a shaft I56.

The shaft I56 is supported by and journalled in a lever arm I58 which is journalled at its opposite end on the take-up spool shaft 80. The lever arm I58 supports a. weight I51, by means of which'the belt I54 is kept, under sufflcient tension to drive the shaft I56. The shaft I55 has secured thereto a gear I60 which meshes'with a gear I6I secured to the take-up shaft 80. His thus apparent that a driving connection is established between the shaft I38 and thetake-up spool to effect rotation of spool upon rotation of the shaft I38 in a predetermined direction. The teeth of the clutch mechanism are so arranged that the take-up spool will be driven to wind an advancing strand, but will not be driven to unwind. The tensioning arrangement including the lever arm and weight permits slippage between the belt I54 and associatedpulleys, and thereby allows the speed of rotation of the takeup spool to vary as the quantity of strand applied thereto increases. A strand distributing mechanism of any well known type, represented generally by the reference character I62 in Fig. 1, isalso driven by-the'chain I45.

The sprocket I40 whichis secured to the shaft I38 operates an endless chain I65 to drive a sprocket I66 which is secured to a shaft I61. The shaft I61 has secured thereto a gear I69 which meshes with agear I10 that is secured to the capstan shaft 13. The capstan 15 is thus connected by the gearing, sprocket, and chain to the shaft I38, and is positively driven thereby in either direction as determined by the direction of rotation of the shaft I38.

As previously stated, the shaft I38 has secured thereto a gear I. .This gear meshes with an idler gear I13 which in turn meshes with a gear I14 secured to a shaft I15. The shaft I 15 has secured thereto a sprocket I11 which supports and drives an endless timing chain I18 that is also supported by an'idler sprocket I18. The apparatus associated with and controlled: by the timing chain willpresently be described.

- As previously stated, a shaft 51 has secured thereto the sprockets 55 for operating the chains 53- to elevate the hollow mandrel tube 41.: The shaft 51 extends through and is iournalled in a stationary supporting member I which is provided with teeth or notches at the end farthest from the sprockets 55. A second stationary support I86 for the shaft 51 has journalled therein a sleeve I84 which has secured thereto at the end nearest to the sprockets 55 a collar I81 provided with teeth or'notche's similar-to those of the member I85. At its other end, the sleeve I 84 has secured a sprocket I88 which meshes with and is driven by the endless chain I33. The shaft 51 is also-journalled in the sleeve I84 and has slidably splined or keyed thereto, intermediate the toothed members I85 and I81, a collar I90 which is provided atboth ends with teeth corresponding to those of the adjacent members.

ly lock the chains 53 and mandrel tube in a stationary position.

vIt has previously been stated that the strand guiding sheave 64 is carried by a shaft 63 that is supported by the chains 53; Fig. 3 clearly indicates this construction, as well as the fact that" when the mandrel tube is elevated, the-sheave 64 will descend an equal distance, and the path of the strand from the supply reel-to the lower guiding sheave will be shortened. The tension on the strand at the supply reel .will thus be re-' duced, the strand that advances to thebraiding point with the mandrel will-include the surplus from the strand path, and less'than enough to accompany the mandrel will be unreeled. When the mandrel descends, the strand path will increase in length, and some of the strand which would accumulate as slack will be absorbed intothe strand path. Thus the amount of slack" causedby. the descent of the mandrel will be less than it would be with an unvarying strand path.

Referring to Figs. 2, 3 and 8,.a timing bar 200 having an elongated slot 20I therein is pivotally supported parallel to and above the timing chain I18 by lever arms 202 and 203' pivotally mounted in stationary supports 204 and 205respectively. The pivot shaft 208 which carries the lever arm 203 has secured to the other end thereof alever arm 209 which is disposed in the path ofone of the pins 5I that support the mandrel block '50. The lever arm 2031 supports a counterweight 2 I0 which cooperates upon movement of thetiming bar 200 in either direction to insure full move-' ment of the bar and associated levers. The-timing bar 200 has mounted on the upper surface thereof a bracket 2| 2, and at one end an arm 2I3 extending out. in alignment with the bar and having at its outer end a portion 2 extending.

transversely of the bar. The bar also carries :1 lug orstop 2 adjustable longitudinally of the bar andsecured in any predetermined position. 9

by any suitable means such as a screw 2I5 extending through the slot 20I. When the timing bar is in-:the position shown in Fig. 3, the lug 2 I4 is disposed in the path of a pin- 2I6 carried by the timing chain I18, the normal movement of which is in the direction indicated by the arrow. When-the pin advances into engagement with the lug it imparts 'alohgitudinal movement to the timing bar, which is suspended from the lever arms 202 and 203,and which therefore sufiers.

an accompanying upward movement, until lug 2I4 clears the pin.

Mounted on the frame of the machine adjacent to the timing bar bracket 2I2 is a rock shaft 220 which supports mercury switches, preferably the into the tube to have an electrical circuit there-.

two in number, identified by the reference nusists of a tube of suitable material, such forex- 'bar..

between closed by the mercury when the tube is tipped to flow the mercury into contact with the electrodes. The switch 22I preferably has two electrodes whereby one circuit is closed or opened upon rocking the shaft 220. The switch 222 preferably has three electrodes, so that one circuit is opened and one is closed' upon rocking the shaft 228 in either direction. The shaft 220 has mounted thereon at the end adjacent to the bracket a lever arm223 which is connected by the tension spring 224 to the bracket H2. The spring 224 is so positioned that a short longitudinalmovement of the timing bar will cause the spring to move across the axis of the rock shaft 228 and exert a tension on the upper end of the lever arm 223 to rock the shaft. The bracket 2 I2 has a hook shaped portion at the upper end which, when the timing, bar moves to rock the switches 22I and 222 from the dotted position to the full lineposition, will bear against the lever arm 223 until the spring passes the axis of the shaft 220 and exerts a tension on the lever arm to complete the movement thereof. The lever armwill then be drawn out of the path of the hook shaped portion of the bracket, and it will not interfere with the movement of the timing Near the end of the timing bar that carries thearm 2 I3 is Journalled in a stationary support a rock shaft 230 which supports a mercury switch ,7

23I that is preferably provided with two contact electrodes. The shaft 230 is connected by a lever arm 232, a-connecting link 233, and a lever arm 234 toa rock shaft 236 which has secured thereto a lever arm 231 disposed in the path of the timing chain pin 2I8 and in the path of movement of the portion 2 of-the arm 2I3.

The cylindrical tube 38 carries near its lower end a support for a rock shaft 240, which has secured thereto a mercury switch 2, preferably having three contact electrodes, and a lever arm 242. The tube 36 also carries a lever 244 pivoted thereto at 245 and urged in an upward direction by means of the tension spring 246.- The lever 244 is disposed below and in the pathof one of the mandrel supporting pins'5I, and its outer end is connected by a tension spring 241 to the outer end of the lever arm 242. when the mandrel supporting'block 50 is in its lowermost position, the pin 5|.keeps the lever 244 depressed to maintain the mercury switch 2 in the position shown in full lines. When the block rises due to movement of the chains 53, the lever 244 pivots about the point 245 under the influence of the spring 246 to carry the spring 241 past the axis of the rock shaft 240 torock the shaft and move the switch to the position shown in broken lines.

The several positive clutches which have previously been described for effecting speed changes in the driving mechanism and for controlling the operation of the chains 53 are operated by electromagnetic means, preferably solenoids. Current for energizing the solenoids may be obtained from any convenient source of electrical energy, such as the usual one hundred ten volt -line consisting of the conductors 248 and 249,

the latter of which may have one side of a double pole switch 250 therein for completing the circuit. The other side of the switch 250 is connected in one-side of a power line 25I of suitable potential for operating the motor 22. A solenoid 252 has its armature 253 pivotally connected to the lever I92 which controls the clutch collar I90, the arrangement-being such that when the solenoid is energized, the collar is kept in engagement with the stationary member I85, and when the solenoid is deenergized, a tension spring 254 connected to the lever I92 draws the collar into engagement with the rotatable member I81. One side of the winding of the solenoid 252 is connected by a-conductor 255 to an end contact of the mercury switch 2, the center contact of which is connected by-a conductor 258 to the con ductor 249 of the power hne. The other side of the solenoid winding is connected by a conductor 251 to one of the contacts of the mercury switch 23I, which has its other contact connected by a conductor 259 to the conductor 248 of the power line. 7

The lever 8 which operates the reversing clutch collar 5- is normally held to keep the collar I I5 out of engagement with the hub mem ber I06 by a tension spring 262, and is pivotally connected to the armature 263 of a solenoid 264,

The solenoid is energizable to draw the collar into engagement with the toothed hub member I06. One side of the winding of the solenoid 264 is connected by a conductor 266 to the third terminal of the mercury switch 2, and the other side of the winding is connected by a conductor 261 to an end terminal of the mercury switch 222, the center terminal of which connects through the conductor 259 to the line conductor 248.

a The lever I II which operates the high and low speed forward clutch collar I08 has the transversely extending arms 210 and 2H to which are pivotally connected the armatures 212 and 213 respectively of the solenoids 214 and 215 respectively. The solenoids 214 and 215 are respectively energizable to move the collar I 08 into engagement with the hub member I04 or I05. The tension spring 216 maintains the collar in a central'or neutral position when both of the solenoids are deenergized. The solenoid 214 has one side of its winding connected by a conductor 218 to the third contact of the mercury-switch 222, and the other side of its winding is connected through the conductor 258 to the line conductor 249. The solenoid 215 has one side of its winding connected by a conductor 219 to one of the terminals of the mercury switch 22I, the other terminal of which connects through the conductor 259 to the line conductor 248. The other side of the winding of the solenoid 215 is connected to the conductor 256 which connects toa terminal of the mercury switch 2, as previously described.

Mounted adjacent to the lever III is a rock shaft 28I which has secured thereto a mercury switch 282, preferably having two contacts, and a lever arm 283. A member 285 is secured to and extends from the arm 21I- of the lever I II, and a tension spring 286 connects the member 285 to the lever arm 283. The parts are so arranged that when the clutch collar I08 is in engagement withthe hub member I05 by reason of energization of the solenoid 215, the mercury switch will be sopositioned as to complete the circuit between its contacts. However, when the clutch collar is in either .of the remaining positions, the spring 286 will have passed across the axis of the shaft 28I to rock the shaft and open the circuit through the switch.

As shown in Fig. l, the bracket which is supported by the cross member I4 has pivotally mounted thereon an arm 288 which supports at its outer end a single grooved sheave 289. The arm and sheave are in alignment with the strand as it first advances from the sheave 1| to the capstan 18, so that the sheave 289 may ride above and in contact with the strand. The cross member l4 has mounted thereon a solenoid 290, the armature 29! of which is pivotally connected by a link' 292 to them 288. The arrangement is such that when the solenoid is energized, the sheave 289 is drawn down, to placethe strand under tension. One side of the solenoid winding is connected through the conductor 259 to the line conductor 248, and the other side of the winding is connected by a conductor 293 to one terminal of the mercury switch 282, the other terminal of which connects through the conductor 288 to the line conductor 249. e

As shown in Figs. 2 and 8, the actual mechanism for operating the forward driving and reversing clutches differs slightly from the arrangement shown schematically in Fig. 4. The arma-r tures of the solenoids 214 and 218, the latter of which cannot be seen in Fig. 2, are pivotally connected to a. lever 295 which is pivotally supported at 296. A rock shaft 291 which is operatively connected to the yoke H0 of Fig. 4 extends through the wall of the gear box 93 and carries exteriorly thereof a lever 298 which is connected by a tie rod 299 to the lever 295. It is thus apparent that the rocking movement of the lever 295 in response to the operation of either of the solenoids will result in an angular movement of the lever 298 and a rocking of the shaft 281. Y

The yoke H1 of Fig. 4 which operates the reversing-clutch H5 is operatively connected to a rock shaft 300 which extends from the gear box 93- and carries externally thereof a lever l comprising the angularly extending arms 302 and 303. A lever 304 which is pivotally supported on the shaft 291 is connected at one end by a tie rod 309 to the armature of the solenoid 284. The other end of the lever 304 is bifurcated to receive the end of the arm 302 which has an .elongated slot (not shown). A pin 305 extends through the 264 is energized, the tie rod 309 is drawn downwardly, the lever 304 is rocked in a clockwise direction, and the lever 30! and rock shaft 300 are rocked-in a counterclockwise direction to engage the reversing clutch.

The arm 303 carried by the lever 300 cooperates with a lever 306 secured to the rock shaft 291 to form an interlock between the two clutch operating vmechanisms to prevent concurrent engagement of the forward driving and reversing clutches. The lever 308 is provided at its outer end with a V shaped notch 301, and the arm 303 carries a pin 300 which is disposed within the notch. When the reversing solenoid operates, the

lever 30! rocks to move the pin 308 to the centerof the notch, and the forward driving clutch must be in its neutral position in order for the pin to move to the center ofthe notch. The notched lever is then prevented from moving, and the forward driving clutch cannot be engaged. When either the high speed or low speed clutching arrangement is in operation, if the reversing purposes for which a machine embodying the invention maybe employed is the continuous braiding of switchboard cords having reinforced portions comprising a plurality of layers of braided covering. In one instance the strand to whicha braided covering is to be applied oi." a plurality of insulated conductors, preferably three, which have been twisted together with filler 'twines, to form a substantially cylindrical strand.

.and. around which a retaining of twine has been wound to maintain the twisted strands in the desired arrangement, A portion of such a strand is shown in Fig. 5 in which there are the insulated conductors 3l0, the flller twlnes 3H,

and the retaining serving 2. When such a strand is to receive a braided covering, a reel containing preferabhr an unbroken length of the strand may be mounted in the hereinbefore described supply reel support, and the strand may be threaded into themachineinthe mannerallo previous described. c

It should be remembered that the bobbin-car riers rotate at a continuous velocity, while the linear velocity of the strand is changed at predetermined intervals by thechange speed gearing. a I

The number of turns of braiding. material received by the strand per unit of length is therefore a function of the velocity of the strand. When the strand is travelling at its minimum velocity, the greatest number of turns of braiding material per unit of length is applied, and the braid is described as a slow or close-meshed braid.

Conversely, when the strand is travelling atits maximum velocity, the least number of turns of braiding material per unit of length is applied, and the braid is described as a fast or openmeshed braid. The closeness or tightness of the braid varies inversely as the velocity of the cord. This may readily be observed by including on one of the bobbin carriers a bobbin of tracer material of contrasting character, allowing the machine to operate through a cycle of speed changes, and noting the distance between adjacent turns of the helix of tracer material at each speed.

In the preferred form of the cord, the major portion of each cordlength iscovered with a single covering of braid of relatively close mesh, as shown at 3l5 in Fig. 7, and this mesh is defined as the normal or slow braid. V After the normal braid has been applied for a predetermined distance, a'speed change occurs in the machine which results in'an increase in the velocity of the strand, and the application of a fast or openbraid thereto, as shown at3|8 in Figs. 5,- 6 and. After the open braid has been applied for a predetermined distance which is preferably relatively tion and has been applied over the tip 49 ofthe mandrel 41, the direction ofadvance of the strand is reversed, and its velocity ischanged to 'a value to produce a mesh intermediate those of the normal and fast braid. The reversal of the strand, results in the braiding of a second layer 3l1 superimposed upon the fast braid, this layer, in the preferred embodiment being somewhat shorter than the fast braid,'as shown in Figs. 5

and 6. -When the secondlayer has been applied to a predetermined length of strand, the cutter memberspreviously described operate to sever and cut away portions of the twine at. the point where they doubled'back upon reversal of the strand as shown at ill in Fig. 6. Bubstan tially simultaneously with the operation ofcutters, the strand is again reversed to advance it in the normal direction, and the strand velocity is changed to that which produces the normal braid. A third layer of braiding is thus superimposed on the other'two layers, as shown at 819 in Figs. 6 and '7, and this braiding tapers smoothly over the severed twines at the end of the extra layers, and continues as a normal single layer 815 applied to newly presented portions of the strand. The cycle may be repeated until the end 'of the strand contained on the supply reel is reached, after which the braided strand may be severed a plurality of times in equal lengths, to produce a plurality of cords, each of which has a reinforced portion at a predeterminedpositionon the cord.

Preferably, the strand is severed in the openmeshed braid near the pointof the beginning of the outer or normal braid, which is the end of the reinforced portion opposite to the tapered portion. Thus a cord has the reinforcement at one end a length of exposed open-meshed or fast braid at each end. A connection terminal such as a switchboard plug may be secured to the reinforced end, thus providing the reinforced portion at the place where the cord is subject tomuch handling. At the other end, the open-meshed braid may easily be removed or pushed back to expose the conductor strands for connection purposes.

Describing in detail the operation of a braiding machine constructed in accordance with the invention to produce conductor cords as previously described, Figs. 3 and 4 show the switch 250 closed, to supply electrical energy to the motor 22 and to the several mercury switch and solenoid circuits to render the machine operative. The strand is properlystrungrthrough the machine from'supply reel to take-up reel and a normal braid is being applied thereto by reason of the fact that the solenoid 215 is energized to maintain the slow speed clutch comprising the members and 108 in operative engagement. The mandrel'tube 41 is at its lowest position and the solenoid 252 is'energized to maintain the clutch member 191 in engagement with the-stationary member 185, thus locking the shaft 51. The reversing clutch comprising the members 106 and is disengaged and'the timing pin 218 is appreaching the lug 214 carried by the timing bar 200. As the timing chain advances in the direction indicated by the arrow, the timing. pin is brought into engagement with the lug 214 and as it advances the timing bar is also advanced in the same direction to rock the shaft 220 and change the mercury switches 221 and 222 from the full line position to the dotted position. The movement of the timing bar also rocks the shaft 208 to move the lever 209 from the full line position to the dotted position.

The movement of the switch 221 opens the circuit from the line conductor 248 through the conductor 259, through the conductor 219, through'the solenoid 215, through the mercury switch 241 and through the conductor 258 to line conductor 248 through the conductor 259, through the conductor 218, through the solenoid 214, through the conductor 258 to the line conductor 249 whereby the solenoid 214 is energized to draw the collar 108 into engagement with the hub member 104, thus completing the high speed drive. The movement of the arm 111 which operates a clutch member 108 causes the shaft 281 to rock, thus changing the mercury switch 282 from the full line position to the dotted position and interrupting circuit from the line conductor 248 through the conductor 258, through the winding of the solenoid 290 and through the conductor 258 to the line conductor 249 whereby the solenoid 290 is deenergized to permit the advancing strand to draw the sheave 289 from the full line position to the dotted position (Fig. 3).

The change from low to high speed in the gear box increases the velocity of the strand by increasing the velocity of the capstan 15 and the take-up 19. The speed changes thus described cause the fast or open-meshed braid to be applied to the strand. Thetiming chain rmtinues to advance until the pin 218 engage." and trips the lever arm 231 which causes the snait 230 to be rocked to change the mercury switch 281 from the full line positon to the dotted position. A circuit from'the line conductor 248 through the conductor 259, through the switch 231, through the conductor 251 and the winding of the solenoid 252, through the conductor 258, through the mercury switch 241 and through the conductor 258 to the line conductor 249 is thus interrupted to demergize the relay 252 and permit the spring 254 to move the clutch collar into engagement with the rotatable member 181 which is driven by the sprocket 189. The mandrel elevating chains 58 are thus operatively connected to the chain 133 to cause the'mandrel to move upwardly toward the braiding point at approximately the same velocity as the velocity of the strand.

The movement of the mandrel tube upwardly permits the lever 244 to rotate about its pivot point and rock the shaft 240 to change the mercury switch 241 from the full line position to the dotted position. The change in position of the switch 241 causes the mandrel elevating solenoid circuit which was previously opened by the switch 231 to also be opened at the switch 241. The circuit of the slow speed operating solenoid 218 which was previously opened at the switch 221 is also opened at 241. The break in the circuit through the reverse operating solenoid 284 is now closed by the switch 241 so that it is open only at the switch 222.

The mandrel tube 41 continues to rise until it reaches the braiding point where the open-mesh braiding will be applied over the conical tip of the mandrel and under the shoulder at the base of the tip. When the mandrel tube has reached its uppermost position, one of the pins 51 will have engaged, the lever 209 and will have returned it to the full line position, thus rocking the shaft 208 to resetthe timing bar 200 and the mercury switches-221 and 222 to their original positions. The switch 231 will also be returned to its original position by reason of the engagement of the portion 211 of the timing bar extension 218 with the lever arm231. The switch 231 will close at that point, the circuit of the mandrel elevating solenoid 252 which, however, is still open at the switch 241. The resetting of the switch 221 will close the circuit of the slow speed solenoid 215 which also is open at 241. The resetting of the switch 222 opens the previously described-circuit through the high speed solenoid 2' to permit the clutch member 108 to move to its intermediate or neutral position. At the same time the switch 222 closes the only remaining break in the circuit of the reversing solenoid 264 so that 'the' solenoid is energized to draw the :clutch member I I5 into engagement with the hub 106 to reverse the direc-'- tion of operation of the shaft l25ythe shaft I32, the chain I33, the shaft 51, the shaft 135, the capstan I5 and the timing chain I18. The mandrel tube 41 thus begins to descend and it carries with it the strand by reason of the fact that braiding has been applied over the conical tip and under the shoulder. As the strandmoves downwardly, a second layer of braiding is applied over the first layer of fast and open-meshed braiding and the mesh of the second layer is intermediate the mesh of the :normal and fast braid by'reason of an intermediate gear ratio in the reversing gears.

In the take-up spooldriving mechanism the chain sprocket ratios .are such thatthe take-up reel tendsto be driven at a strand reeling velocity that exceeds the strand advancing velocity of the capstan15, and the slippage permitted by the belt I54 enables the take-up reel to rotate at slower speeds to reel the strand as it is supplied. If the take-up reel were positivelydriven in the reverse direction upon reversal of the movement of the strand, excessive amounts of strand would be unreeled, and upon restoration of the normal strand direction, the strand -might slip on the capstan and remain stationary while the take-up reel .was re-lreeling the excess. By employing the one way ratchet clutch, the driving portion thereof rotates in the reverse direction faster than the driven portion, which may rotate only fast enough to unreel the desired-amount of strand, which is drawn from the reel by the capstan, thus keepingthe strand between the capstan and reel taut; Thus the take-up reel is ready,,immediately upon restoration of the normal movementpf the strand, to reel'strand advanced by thecap-y stan.

-The mandrel continues to-descend until one of the pins 5i engages the lever 2M and moves it downwardly to rock the mercury switch 2 to .its original position. The return of the switch to its original position causesthecircuit through the reversing solenoid to .open and the circuits through the mandrel solenoid 251. and the slow speed solenoid 215 to be closed so that those solenoids are energized to lock the mandrel in the lower position and to operate the mechanism at the minimum speed to return to the normal or slow braiding.

When the mandrel 41 has been drawn to its lowest position, the cutter members enter the slots of the conical tip and the twines which form the braiding are severed by the cutter members at the point where'the first reversal occurred. By reason of the inter-twined arrangement of the braiding twines, some of them will be severed in one place and others will be severed in two or more places so that small pieces of the twine will be removed from the braiding. These pieces are permitted to fall through the hollow tube 35 to the bottom thereof from which they may be removed in any suitable manner such as by suction means (not shown).

, The sheave 289, which is drawn against the strand by thesolenoid ZSQ at the beginning of the slow speed advance of the strand, prevents piling of the braid at or near the point of, be:

ginning of the normal braid by causing a sudden shift of the strand in the direction of advance.

With the return of the switch 24] to its orig inal position all of the mechanismsdriven from theshaft 92 return to their normal operation and the outer ornormal braid is applied over the two layers previously applied. The third layercontinues to be applied until the lower. end of the reinforced position where the twines were severed approaches the braiding point. The severance of the twines permits the ends thereof, which may be of varying lengths, to be arranged evenly and flatly against the body of the strandso that the normalbraiding continues overthe severed threads to newly presented portions of the strand in a smooth and even taper. If the cord should be braided without severing the threads at'the junction of the first and second reinforcing layers, anabrupt change in the diameter of the strand might, insome instances, result at that point,-so'that after the outer braid was applied,

a covered shoulder would exist in the strand, and

when used in the conventional type of switch board, excessive wear on the cord might result at the shoulder. The normal braiding of a single cover for the strand continues until the timing pin M6 is advanced to engagement with the lug 2 when the above described cycle of operations is repeated.

As shown in Fig. 3, the from the inner and outer sides of the timing chain, and its inner portion engages the lug 2 to actuate the mechanism to produce exposed open-meshed braid and its outer endengages the lever arm 23]. to actuate the mechanism to produce reinforcing layers. It is apparent that additional pins similarto the pin 216 may be mounted on the chain in equal or unequal spacing arrangement to produce a plurality of'correspondingly spaced reinforcements preceded by exposed open-meshed braid, during one cycle of operation of the timing chain.

It is also possible to change the nature of the strand assembly by providing one or more pins extending only from the outer-side of the chain toenga'ge only the lever arm 231. Such pins would cause the production of reinforced pore tions'having open-meshed braid as a for the reinforcement, but having no exposed open-meshed braid; For example, one pin extending from the outer side 0! thechain might beprovided in advance of the pin 216,- to produce a reinforcement immediately following the normally braided body portion ofthe cord, and having no exposed open-meshed braid. This pin may be so r-:ced.from the pin 2l6 that immediately upon the completion of this reinforcement, the pin 5 may operate to produce a short length of exposed open braid, followed by a reinforcement. In this way, a strand may [be braided which has alternate closely spaced and relatively widely separated reinforced, portions, the closely spaced reinforcements being separated by exposed open-meshed braid, and the portion between ,the widely separated reinforcements having normal braiding thereon. The strand may be severed in the-portionshavingv the exposed open braid, thus producing cords having reinforced portions near each end, and openmeshed portions at the ends to facilitate the exposure of the conductors for connection. purposes. Other arrangements of pins may, be, em-

the strand.

timingpin 216 extends foundation which has'more or less tee The apparatus hereinbefore described is adjustable at several points to vary the dimensions 01 component parts of the braided cover for a cord, and also the length of a complete cord. If the sprocket I34 is removed and another is substituted therefor which is l er or smaller, and the chain i3 3 will be driven correspondingly faster orislower to render the mesh of the braiding at all speeds closer or more open in the same proportion. l The lengths of the cord, the reinforced portion, and the several types of braiding will remain unchanged, but since thequantity of twine applied to unit length of the strand is a function of the strand velocity, the mesh of all the types of braiding will be altered in proportion to the increase or decrease in the velocity of the chain The length of strand that receives reinforcing layers of braiding is determined by the distance between the top of the mandrel and the braiding point, which is the path of travel of the mandrel. This distance may be altered by varying the height of the cylindrical tube 36 with respect to the tube 34, the holes 3! and pin 39 being provided for that purpose. The effect of reducing the distance of travel of the mandrel is to reduce the length of the reinforced portion by an equal amount. Since the open braid is applied from the time the timing bar is tripped until it is reset at the termination of the upward movement of the mandrel, the length of the open braid will be reduced by the same amount, the reduction occurring in the portion covered by the reinforcing layers. The portion of the open braid that is exposed, the length of the normal. braid, and the overall length of the cord remain unchanged. An increase'in' the distance from themandrel to the braiding point produces in the cord'similar changes in opposite sense.

The lug 2 carried by the timing bar is made adjustable by means of the slot in the bar in order that its distance from the lever arm 23! may be a varied. This distance determines the quantity oi open braiding that is exposed, and therefore the quantity of normal braiding that'is applied. It the distance is increasedgthe length of the portion of the'cord having exposed open braiding is increased, and the lengthof the portion having normal braiding is decreased by the same amount. Conversely, a decrease in the distance decreases the open braid and increases the normal braid by equal amounts; Changing the ,{position of the lug 2 does not eifect the length of the rein V forced portion,'nor the overall length of the cord.

It is also possible to vary the overall length of the cord. This may be accomplished by'changing the size'of either of the'gears 141 and 114 to change the gear ratio therebetween. For facilitating such a change, the idler gear |!3 may be mounted on a movable support I16, so that it may mesh with a larger or smaller gear |4| or "4. The effect of thisis to change the operating periodof the timing chain without affecting the speed of the capstan !5 that advances the strand.

An increase in the speed of operation of the timing chain will decrease the time required to'co nplete a cycle, and-isince the capstan speed is not ail'ected,'a.sgjallei amount-of strand will reach the braiding point, and the cord will be shorter. The shortening, however, will occurin the normal braiding and in the exposed portion of the open braiding, but the length of the reinforced portion will not be afiected, as it is determined entirely by the distance of travel of .th e mandrel. A reduction in the operating speed will increase the length of the cord by increasingthe normal braid and the exposed portion of; the open braid, and as before, the length of the {reinforced portion will remain constant.

It is to be understood that the making or changing of one of the above described adjustments does not preclude the changing or any of the others,,but that all of the adjustments are come patible and maybe made or changed'at any time to vary the length of the cord. the length of the reinforced portion, the relative lengths of normal and exposed open braid, and the texture or mesh of the braids, to satisfy any desired condtions.

The operation of cutters 46 and the mandrel 4'! may be briefly summarized as follows: As the braid 3|6 (Fig. 5) is nearing completion the mandrel 4! (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5) is raised so that the braid '3I6 is applied over the mandrel head 49 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5) at which time the motion of the mandrel 4! is reversed so that the second braid 3|! is applied over the mandrel head 48 as shown in Fig.5 and continued up over the first braid 3 6 as the braided portion is pulled downward into the machine by means of the gripping action of the braids 316 and 31! on the mandrel head 49. The tube 36 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) carrying cutters 46 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) is positioned so that when the desired length of the second braid 3|! is completed the mandrel'4! will have brought the cutting edges of the blades 48 into the slots 48 (Fig. 5) to the junction of the straight portion of the mandrel 4! and the conical tip 49, thereby bringing the junction of the braids 3|6 and 3|! down past the upper cutting edges of the cutters 46 and causing them to slit the two braids for a short distance longitudinally. At this time the motion of the mandrel 4'! is arrested and the cord again movedin'a forward direction by means of the capstan, starting the application of the third braid 3|9 (Fig. 6) and pulling the two braids 3| 6 and 3|! oil of the mandrel head 49,'thereby causing the threadsforming the braids 3| 6 and 3|! to fray out as shown at 3! (Fig. 6). The motion of the cord is continued in a forward direction so that the third braid 3|9 is continued downward over the cut ends oi braids '316 and 311, which results in a gradual change in the diameter of the cord as shown in Fig. '7.

[Although in the drawings and foregoing description, one embodiment of a conductor cord and of a method and apparatus and arrangement of parts for braiding it have been shown and described, it should be understood that the invention is not limited'to the particular embodiment shown and described, but that it contemplates and is capable of many changes, sub- 'stitutions, and modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a braiding apparatus, means for braiding, means for advancing a strand to be braided, a mandrel through which the strand is movable, and having. a portion for receiving and retaining braiding, means for moving the mandrel with the strand to receive: braiding on the portion, means for oppositely moving the .mandrel to reverse the direction of movement of the strand, and means for severing the braiding material to dislodge the material fromthe' mandrel to permit relative movement between the mandrel and the strand.

2. In a braiding apparatus, means for advancing an article to be braided, a mandrel through which the article is movable, means for moving the mandrel with the article, means for reversing the direction of movement of the mandrel, means for causing the mandrel to move the article in a reverse direction, and means for locking the mandrel to prevent it from moving with the article.

3. In a braiding apparatus, means for advancing an article to be braided, a mandrel through which the article is movable, means for moving the mandrel with the article, means responsive to movement of the mandrel with the article for reversing the direction of movement of the mandrel, means for causing the mandrel to move the article in a reverse direction, and means responsive to movement of the mandrel in a reverse direction for stopping the mandrel, for looking it in a stationary position, and for again advancing the strand.

4. In a braiding apparatus, means for advancing a strand to be braided, means for reversing the direction oi. movement of the strand, means for rendering the reversing means inoperative, and means engageable with the strand operable upon the termination of the reverse movement of the strand for instantaneously reversing the direction of braiding.

5. In a braiding apparatus, means for advancing a strand to be braided, means for reversing the direction of movement of the strand, means for rendering the reversing means inoperative, means for rendering the advancing means operative, and means independent of the advancing means for causing a shifting oi the strand in the direction of advance.

6. In a braiding apparatus, means for advancing a strand, selective means for changing the velocity of advance of the strand, means for reversing the direction of movement of the strand, electromagnetic means for operating the speed changing and reversing means, switching means for controlling the electromagnetic means, and timing means for actuating the switching means.

7. In a braiding apparatus, means for advancing a strand, means for changing the velocity of advance of the strand, means for changing the direction of movement of the strand, electromagnetic solenoids for operating'the speed changing and reversing means, and mercury switches for establishing electrical connection with the solenoids.

8. In a braiding apparatus, means for braiding, means for moving an article to be braided relatively to the braiding means, means for reversing the direction of movement of the article, means for severing the braided material at a point of reversal of the braid, and means to synchronize the reversing means and the severing means.

9. In a braiding apparatus, means for braiding, means for moving an article to be braided relatively to the braiding means, means for changing the velocity of movement of the article, meansv core, means for braiding the strands, means for moving the core relatively to the braiding means, and means for reversing the direction of motion of the moving means, in combination with means to take up slack in the core occasioned by the reversal thereof.

11. In a machine for braiding strands on a core, means for braiding the strands, means for moving the core relatively to the braiding means, and means for reversing the direction of motion of the moving means, in combination with means to take up slack in the core occasioned by the reversal thereof comprising a tensioning sheave in contact with the core and means to move the same positively transversely of the core.

12. In a machine for braiding strands on a core, means for braiding the strands, means for moving the core relatively to the braiding means, and means for reversing the direction of motion of the moving means, in combination with means to take up slack in the core occasioned by the reversal thereof comprising a tensioning sheave in contact with the core and means to move the same positively transversely of the core and means to synchronize the movement of the sheave with the reversing means.

13. In a machine for braiding strands on a core, means for braiding the strands, means for moving the core relatively to the braiding means, and means for reversing the direction of motion of the moving means, in combination with means to take up slack in the core occasioned by the reversal thereof comprising a movably mounted tensioning sheave in contact with the core and a solenoid connected to the mounting thereof to move the sheave positively transversely of the core.

14. In a machine for braiding strands on a core, means for braiding the strands, means for moving the core relatively to the braiding means, and means for reversing the direction of motion of the moving means, in combination with means to take up slack in the core occasioned by the reversal thereof comprising a movably mounted tensioning sheave in contact with the core and a solenoid connected to the mounting thereof to move the sheave positively transversely of the core and means to energize the solenoid in synchronism with the reversing means.

BEN K. FORD. LEO L. WEAVER. 

